YOUNG FARMERS' CLUBS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 30 April 1940, Page 10

YOUNG FARMERS' CLUBS

ACTIVITIES IN WAIRARAPA REVIEWED

District Committee’s Annual Report

GOOD SERVICE IN TIME OF WAR

The fifth annual report of the Wairarapa District Committee of the New Zealand Federation of Young Farmers' Club’s, to be presented at the annual meeting on Friday, May 3. states:

is one way in which each and every club member can help his district and it is disappointing that more do not take part. We are. however, grateful to those who sent in fleeces—many with no other object than to assist the district —and must congratulate Mr G. Blatchford for winning both the fine and the medium classes, the second prize winners being Mr D. C, Ross and Mr E. Sanson. Essay Contest. Despite the inducement provided by Mr W. F. McLaren’s generous donations of prize money, it would appear that Wairarapa Young Farmers are not inclined to literary matters and entries in our first .essay contest were very poor. The quality of the entries, however, left little to be desired and very little separated the three prizewinners who were: D. McGregor 1. M. Knutson 2, and G. E. Wadham 3. District Club Work. A pleasing feature of club work over the past year has been the increased number of field days held by individual clubs. There is unquestionably plenty of scope for outdoor practical demonstrations in their work and clubs are finding that a well organised and an attractive field day is not only appreciated by the members but also compels interest and consequently support from the farming community as a whole.

In presenting the annual report last year, the claim was made that the year 1938-39 had been the most important period in the history of the movement in the Wairarapa district, in that active club members had finally emerged from their "probationary" period and were undertaking in full responsibilities previously carried by the older pioneer advisory members. When it was made there were none who realised that the validity of this claim was soon to be severely tested but there is now no doubt that it. was this change of outlook which largely accounted for the manner in which the clubs have met and survived the disruption consequent upon the state of war. Naturally membership has suffered, falling from 260 to 220 but apart from this, clubs have carried on steadily and efficiently and with proper appreciation of the added significance of their educational work in relation to the efficiency of our primary producing industries. Young Farmers’ Club work is primarily educational and although this work frequently takes the form of competitions, excursions, tours, etc. this is only because the really essential aim is the more effectively achieved in this manner. Consequently there is every reason why the activities of this organisation should bo carried, on with even greater vigour with the certain knowledge that by so doing a real service is being perform- I ed in the interests of primary production.

It is felt that this development is to > a large extent due to a realisation on • the part of club officers that the ) strength of the whole organisation de- . | pends ultimately on the strength of . each individual club. In last year's annual report the fear was expressed that the movement would suffer if attention was distracted too much by district, provincial and national functions of,the more or less spectacular or "stunt” variety. It is most pleasing therefore, to note the trend towards self-sufficiency in club activities, both as regards field days and evening lectures. All clubs this past year have made a noticeable and effective effort towards providing a more interesting fare for their members at ordinary monthly meetings. Some assistance to this end has been provided by the visits to Wairarapa clubs of ' well known lecturers of the quality of Mr E. Bruce Levy, Director of the Grasslands Division of the Plant Research Bureau, Mr J. E. Duncan. Wool Instructor, and Mr M. J. Scott, Superintendent of the Pig Industry,' but as great a benefit has resulted simply from the closer attention given by club executives to the planning and arrangement of club affairs. The restrictions placed on travelling by present conditions inevitably require each club to rely more and more upon its own inner resources and it is felt that the past year has clearly demonstrated that clubs have the qualities necessary to ensure their ability to function as effective selfcontained units. General. Radio talks from 2YA have been prepared by the Masterton and Tinui clubs and clearly demonstrated lhat much thought, and care had been devoted to them by the members concerned. Opportunities for radio publicity are naturally restricted but there are other avenues which are not yet fully exploited. The best of these consists of concise but interesting reports of club activities for the local Press and for the Journal. On the whole this point has been receiving infinitely better attention during the past year than has been the case previously, but there is still room for vast improvement. Probably the aspect requiring most attention is in the direction of keeping the public more fully informed of the subject matter of lectures, debates, etc. These are frequently of interest and value to the farming community as a whole and it is obviously in the interests of the movement to see that this fact is generally appreciated.

Alteration of District Boundaries. A change of considerable importance to this district resulted from the creation of a new instructorate by the Department of Agriculture, centred at Dannevirke and built up from counties previously included in the Wairarapa. Hawke's Bay and Manawatu areas. As a consequence, the number of clubs in this district has been reduced from eleven to eight—-the Ballance , Mangatainoka and Pongaroa clubs now being attached to the new Southern Hawke's Bay district. While it was with real regret that we severed connection with these old friends, it is realised that it should bo to the ultimate advantage of everyone that districts become more compact with no clubs far removed from the district centre. Tours and Visitors. Two touring parties visited this district in the early part of last year—one from North Taranaki and one from Otago-Southland. The Wairarapa is well known for the number and quality of its stud farms and we feel sure that visiting parties have been most impressed with the stock they have seen hero. Two young farmers from Western Australia also visited us early this year and spent a few days in the district. A Wairarapa party of 30 members spent a very pleasant and interesting ten days in the South Island in June pf last year. The route passed through Blenheim and Marlborough, the West Coast as far as Franz Josef and thence across to Christchurch. Stock Judging Contests.

Stock judging once more was a feature of the year’s activities. An added interest is being shown in the local A. and P. contests and these are proving useful training for members taking part in district and provincial contests. It is with very great pleasure that we record the fact that the Wairarapa team, consisting of Messrs G. Blatchford. H. McKenzie and I. McLaren were successful in winning the National Championship held at the Royal Show at Invercargill. Mr Blatchford’s success in winning two individual [championships is particularly meritorious. At last year’s district inter-club contest the Masterton Club was successful for the third time in succession with Carterton second and Mangatainoka third. This year's contest was held a few days ago but final results are not yet available. The Provincial contests are being held at Marton this year and the Wairarapa is represented by two strong teams—Messrs G. Blatchford, V. Gates, W. Benson and M. Hancox. and Messrs H. McKenzie. W. Jury, J. Rose and N. Wyeth. Debating Contest. The Tinui Club again proved themselves the ablest debaters in the district, winning the final by a narrow margin from Masterton. The Tinui team also represented the district on the provincial contests but were narrowly defeated by a strong Wairoa team at Napier. Fleece Competition. Despite ample notice this year, the fleece competition was not 'as well supported as might be expected. This

It is with regret that we record the resignation from the District Executive of Mr S. Mills of (he Wairarapa College and he is assured of our good wishes for every success in his new appointment. The very good work of the secretary should also be mentioned. The interest which he has taken has been a big factor in the success of -he club in this district. Acknowledgments. There can be' few organisations which atract more willing and genorJUS support than the Young Farmers’ Clubs Federation, it would be impossible to name half of those to whom we are indebted for services freely and generously given and wc can do ao more (han record our appreciation af (he invaluable assistance rendered to our organisation by (he various larmers’ organisations and by the innumerable individuals who have shown their interest in a practical manner. (Signed) W. JAMES. President.